Expect some kind of inconvenience for next six years, as Skyway replacement done in stages

While the northbound lanes on the 3.5-mile Pulaski Skyway will close today for two years, travelers can expect to be inconvenienced by the replacement of the 80-year-old bridge through 2020.

The replacement of the dilapidated bridge that connects Newark and Kearny with Jersey City is being done in 10 phases, the first of which began in 2012.

While commuters who travel on the historic bridge are bracing for a major detour to their daily drive when the northbound lanes close today, their woes will not end when those northbound lanes reopen in 2016.

Today’s lane closure marks the third and fourth phases of the $1 billion project.

The following is a breakdown of the 10 phases of the Pulaski Skyway project, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation website.

Phase I

This phase kicked off in 2012 and included the removal of the eastern concrete spans of the Skyway, and cleaning and painting of the exposed steel from the south side of Tonnelle Circle to Newark Avenue. Kiska Construction was awarded the contract for $12 million.

Phase II

This phase focused on the Hoboken and Conrail viaducts. Schiavone Construction Company LLC was awarded the contract for $104 million.

Construction crews began an “extensive rehabilitation” of the Hoboken Viaduct when the second phase kicked off in September 2013, according to the DOT website.

The Conrail Viaduct, which is a short segment of Route 139, will need its roadway deck and bridge bearings replaced, repairs to its truss and rivets, and removal of its concrete encasement.

Phases III and IV

Theses phases will replace the Skyway bridge deck. The contract was awarded to CCA Civil Inc. in May 2013 for a price of $126 million.

The first part involves closing down the northbound lanes to traffic. Once the northbound lanes are replaced, the southbound lanes will be closed and replaced. Throughout the two years of the project, traffic will flow only south.

Phase V

Crews will then begin replacing the Kearny and Broadway ramps, which are “extensively deteriorated and require deck replacement,” according to the DOT website. A contract is expected to be awarded in the coming weeks.

Phases VI and VII

The next phases will focus on steel repairs and seismic retrofitting of the Skyway.

Phases VIII and IX

The penultimate contracts will rehabilitate the superstructure and substructure over the Passaic River, and strengthen and put in seismic retrofitting.

Phase X

The final contract will involve painting the steel bridge. This phases is expected to be completed in 2020.